Agenda item

County Councillor Prynn and other Elected Members

To note feedback from work undertaken by the Chair of the Board and our Elected Members as part of their role on the CPB, including Member visits carried out since the last meeting.

The County Councillors present highlighted a number of areas of their recent work since the Board last met.

County Councillor (CC) Prynn stated that housing for care leavers  has been a focus and is looking to set up/form a partnership with the District Councils.  The Preston City Council has already done some work and the Local Authority is working with a project called "New Belongings" to look at Lancashire services to care leavers.

Action:  The CPB to have care leavers as a thematic area for a future meeting and New Belongings along with others to be invited to a future meeting.

CC Prynn had recently been contacted by a young person and an issue had arisen from a care leaver who was due to move into supported accommodation.  CC Prynn along with the care worker visited the property to ensure it was fit for purpose and reiterated that as a Corporate Parent we have to be certain that the young person is ready to move into supported accommodation and they are confident and everything is in place for them to do this before they move in.  Communication is key with that young person.  CC Prynn is happy for officers to contact her direct, should issues arise.

An Out of Borough visit in Blackpool had been carried out by CC Prynn to one of the Hexagon Care Service Units.  It was reported that the staff were fantastic and the home was spacious with chillout rooms.  The visit was positive and CC Prynn was assured by the good care being provided.

Action:  CC Prynn will write the reports for these visits and circulate to the relevant people.

CC Prynn outlined that she had met with Jane Booth the Lancashire Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) Chair as agreed as there was a previous proposal to hold a joint conference.  Following discussion it was felt it would be more innovative to hold two Challenge Panels in late September where the Panel will consist of young people, CC Prynn, Jane Booth (Chair of LSCB) and relevant officers.  The aim is to find out how safe our young people feel being in care (safeguarding).

CC Prynn attended the Barnardos Contract Monitoring meeting and feedback had been given on the Young Inspectors programme and how well this was working.  Credit was given to Kate Baggaley, Barnardos and the young people on the success of the programme.

CC Brindle gave an update on various events she had attended in her new role as Chairman of the County Council.  One event was the launch of the Fostering Fortnight, and is eagerly awaiting feedback following this.  Another was a visit to Burnley College, to the Creative Arts and Media Department where CC Brindle asked about care leavers and how they were supported and she has agreed to keep in touch with them regarding this.

Recently the Chairman's Challenge was attended by 17 schools, and St Augustine's RC High School gave an impressive presentation on child sexual exploitation and how they are promoting awareness throughout other schools. This is something that this group could take forward.  A link to the film can be found here.

CC Brown reported on his recent Regulation 22 visit to Crestmoor which was very positive.

CC Lord reported on her visit  to Buckingham Palace as a representative from LCC and visited the Houses of Parliament and Commons.  She said it was a wonderful opportunity to talk to young people about politics.

CC Henig stated she had  recently visited Archives which was 75 years old in April and been to London also looking at Arts and Culture.  CC Henig had also been involved in the Young People's Book of the Year competition.